keoadmin
02-16-2004, 07:55 PM
LVEC City of Kingston Open House Comments by Bruce Todd
February 11, 2004
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
My understanding of this project was to replace the existing Kingston Memorial Centre with a state-of-the-art Kingston Memorial Centre that would provide
- a first-class OHL arena
- a modern ice surface for Kingston’s youth in particular and adults in general, and
- an acoustically pleasant venue for concerts and other entertainment
The Arena Capacity and Expansion Study Report has arrived just in time to support this project, and it suggests the direction Kingston should take in replacing or upgrading local arenas. It provides credible positive rationale to proceed with the replacement of the Kingston Memorial Centre as per the Mayor’s campaign promise to the electorate.
In my opinion, the present site of the Kingston Memorial Centre has a number of positive attributes, and it should be used as a benchmark in selection of the final site. These include the following –
(1) The site is owned by the city Therefore no money is needed to buy another site.
(2) The site is a greenfield and would not require millions of dollars to clean up, as a brownfield site could.
(3) Since there are underground services surrounding the site, it may be less expensive to extend the services to the new building than to extend services out to a new site such as just north of Sir John A Macdonald Boulevard.
(4) The site is surrounded by a fairly good road system, and it would seem less costly to build new connecting entrances and exits here than to build a whole new road system at a different site.
(5) The site is sufficiently large enough for projected parking requirements.
(6) There is existing illumination all around the present site, and it may be more economical to simply upgrade or expand upon the existing illumination than to build all of the illumination requirements at a different site.
7) The existing site is quite central as far as driving distances within the city.
(8) Entrances and exits to the present site could be constructed on all four sides, thereby maximizing and balancing the dispersal of traffic at the end of major events.
(9) Zoning requirements are already in place at the existing site.
(10) For residents around the existing site, with new and properly designed entrances and exits, there should be very little change as far as noise, traffic flows, etc., should a five or six thousand seat arena be sited here.
(11) The existing site is within five minutes walk for thousands of local residents, and this is a very major factor as the City promotes non-automobile travel.
I hope you will provide the citizens of Kingston with a chart showing the cost-effectiveness of your chosen site, and a report outlining your rationale.
Bruce Todd
February 11, 2004
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
My understanding of this project was to replace the existing Kingston Memorial Centre with a state-of-the-art Kingston Memorial Centre that would provide
- a first-class OHL arena
- a modern ice surface for Kingston’s youth in particular and adults in general, and
- an acoustically pleasant venue for concerts and other entertainment
The Arena Capacity and Expansion Study Report has arrived just in time to support this project, and it suggests the direction Kingston should take in replacing or upgrading local arenas. It provides credible positive rationale to proceed with the replacement of the Kingston Memorial Centre as per the Mayor’s campaign promise to the electorate.
In my opinion, the present site of the Kingston Memorial Centre has a number of positive attributes, and it should be used as a benchmark in selection of the final site. These include the following –
(1) The site is owned by the city Therefore no money is needed to buy another site.
(2) The site is a greenfield and would not require millions of dollars to clean up, as a brownfield site could.
(3) Since there are underground services surrounding the site, it may be less expensive to extend the services to the new building than to extend services out to a new site such as just north of Sir John A Macdonald Boulevard.
(4) The site is surrounded by a fairly good road system, and it would seem less costly to build new connecting entrances and exits here than to build a whole new road system at a different site.
(5) The site is sufficiently large enough for projected parking requirements.
(6) There is existing illumination all around the present site, and it may be more economical to simply upgrade or expand upon the existing illumination than to build all of the illumination requirements at a different site.
7) The existing site is quite central as far as driving distances within the city.
(8) Entrances and exits to the present site could be constructed on all four sides, thereby maximizing and balancing the dispersal of traffic at the end of major events.
(9) Zoning requirements are already in place at the existing site.
(10) For residents around the existing site, with new and properly designed entrances and exits, there should be very little change as far as noise, traffic flows, etc., should a five or six thousand seat arena be sited here.
(11) The existing site is within five minutes walk for thousands of local residents, and this is a very major factor as the City promotes non-automobile travel.
I hope you will provide the citizens of Kingston with a chart showing the cost-effectiveness of your chosen site, and a report outlining your rationale.
Bruce Todd